Here we go again...

It's a nice, familiar feeling to be back in Amsterdam in the fall, with the air just getting cold again, people are in gloves, hats, scarves and boots, and the the city has a slightly dark feel. It's been exactly one year since I first arrived here and I can't believe how much things have changed!! I'm currently living in the very centre of the city, close to a major clubbing area, right on one of the coolest streets in Amsterdam filled w/ good restaurants and funky shops.

Altho it's in the centre, it's still relatively quiet, and in the morning when I walk out to the tram stop and wait by the canal, the flower stand is busy being set up and you can smell fresh bread being baked in the neighborhood 'warme bakker' bakeries. People are riding by on their bicycles, some in crisp suits and others in casual mismatched clothing, I can't wait to fix my bike(s) so I can also ride to work!! It's now the end of my first week at my new job and so far it's been fabulous! I have a great team of 6 (including me) who are all Dutch and seem to work great together, everyone has a role to do, it doesn't seem like too much to handle, and my manager is a great leader... I could really see myself staying here if things stay this good...

so here is the question. say you have a dream job, something u think u'd love to do. but when u get that dream job, the job benefits suck, the work environment sucks, your coworkers suck, there is no job satisfaction or recognition, etc. but it IS your dream job and you are essentially doing what you love. Is it really then a 'dream job'?

On the other hand, what if you had a job you were skilled at, and knew you could do, with a bit of challenge and change thrown in here and there, it's not in your dream field/job, but everything else is wonderful: ur coworkers, your pay, your boss, job recognition, work life balance, location, etc.

Is it then really a 'shame' to not have gone for the dream job? We all have hobbies, interests and passions.. but do they necessarily have to become our jobs? and maybe, just maybe, its more than the job that really matters. What do you think?